Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the division manager of budget policy analysis for the Legislative Services Office.
• And so when you start to see these budgets,... manager of budget policy analysis for legislative services
• And so we may be able to get that legislation out to the floor the following week.
• So now what we're doing is comparing the governor's recommendation to the legislative scenario.
• That piece of legislation conformity completely changed the way that taxable income is described.

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy briefing from JFAC Chairman Grow and budget analyst Keith Bybee on the state’s fiscal outlook for fiscal years 2026-2028. They said revenues had been revised upward, but uncertainty remains around tax conformity, sales tax softness, and pending policy decisions that could affect the bottom line. Bybee explained structural balance, noted that ongoing revenues are projected to lag ongoing spending, and reviewed long-term growth in Medicaid, public schools, and other state programs, much of it driven by policy changes. Members asked about the Delaware model for research and development expensing, the use of one-time money versus budget cuts, the impact of tax cuts, reserve levels, bond ratings, and the effects of Medicaid expansion and prior recession-era cuts. Chairman Grow closed by emphasizing that the budget is not structurally balanced and that rainy-day funds are meant for temporary shocks, not recurring gaps. The committee then approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and advanced several gubernatorial appointments with recommendations for confirmation: Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, and Dr. Karen Cabell to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Representative John Weber appeared for reappointment to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board, and Robert Cuoio appeared virtually for reappointment to the Your Health Idaho board; both were thanked and told their appointments would likely be voted on at a later meeting. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to DOPL rule dockets. The committee approved fee-increase dockets for the Contractor Registration Board, the Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety, and the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board. DOPL representatives said the increases were needed to bring boards into compliance with statutory cash-balance requirements after consolidation costs, new licensing software, and other one-time expenses, and noted that the rules included “not to exceed” language. Several senators questioned whether the fee increases reflected broader inefficiencies within DOPL and argued that some boards were being asked to raise fees because of agency-wide costs. Despite those concerns, each docket was approved, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• for students with autism Spectrum Disorder or students on a modified curriculum during the 2025 Legislative
• Whenever the legislation was written, it talks about transitional age 18 to 26, but not but not only
• They are is in the legislation and we're working with them as well. >> Absolutely falling up.
• So final question just based on the legislation. I know what it reads.
• So what challenges Iowa seeing that we as a legislator can help you?

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative advertising proposes legislation that appears in two different ways.
• A legislative advertising disclosure statement.
• The delegates at convention adopt legislative priorities.
• During the session, those priorities are communicated to legislative staff and legislators.
• So the question is, when the legislative...

Transcript Highlights:

• wisdom, we come before you today in humility, seeking your divine guidance and blessing. upon this legislative
• May they walk in integrity, govern with wisdom, and legislate with justice and righteousness.
• Representative Dutton began his first legislative session.
• Recognizing the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Austin legislative fly in on February 18 and 19 at the
• Are currently being released oftentimes, but would not be able to be under this legislation.

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform

Transcript Highlights:

• We plan to engage in activity as legislators, and one of the tactics that a legislator can use to exert
• We will be doing our jobs fully from the moment that the legislative session is supposed to start.
• The Minnesota law is tilted toward filling vacancies very rapidly, particularly during the legislative
• It is not a common legislative tactic, but it is used, and authorities can be involved to compel you
• You look at the way that legislative disputes are resolved, things work themselves out. It's early.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's July 14, 2026, at 9:33 a.m., and this meeting is streaming live on the non-legislative video page
• on the Oregon legislative website.
• My name is Beverly Anderson, a legislative analyst for the Legislative Policy and Research Office, also
• Legislative Analyst for the Legislative Policy and Research Office, also known as LPRO.
• LPRO provides professional, nonpartisan staffing, analysis, and research for the Legislative Assembly

Summary: The Explanatory Statement Committee for Initiative Petition 28 met on July 14, 2026, to select a fifth member needed to complete the committee. LPRO staff explained the committee’s role in preparing an impartial, plain-language ballot measure statement, reviewed the statutory deadlines, and noted that if the committee could not agree on a fifth member, the Secretary of State would appoint one. Committee members introduced themselves as the two chief petitioners and representatives for sportsmen’s and agricultural interests. The discussion focused on possible fifth members. The Secretary of State had already confirmed the availability of Bob Herman and former Representative Lane Shetterly. One member also suggested Jake Hammons, an Oregon prosecutor with animal cruelty law experience, but the group did not pursue that option immediately. Members discussed the relative neutrality and experience of the candidates, with several expressing comfort with either Herman or Shetterly and a preference to move quickly. The committee voted unanimously to use Bob Herman as the first choice and Lane Shetterly as the alternate fifth member, with the understanding that if both were unavailable the committee would reconvene. LPRO said it would confirm the fifth member, distribute the draft explanatory statement prepared by Legislative Counsel, and schedule the drafting meeting for July 22, 2026. Members were invited to submit alternative draft language by July 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the legislation there, you've got essentially agencies have a year after their normal
• Bybee answer those, but that is all this legislation does at this point.
• Things have changed since this legislation was originally placed in with our ability to call ourselves
• You'll notice there in the legislation it says cumulative expenditures shall not exceed $10 million,
• When we were working on some of the legislation drafting, there were some changes that we thought...

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee considered and introduced several RSs related to state budgeting and legislative oversight. RS 33238 would shorten the time agencies have to liquidate encumbrances that carry over across fiscal years from one year to one quarter. RS 33241 C1 would limit non-cognizable spending of money received while the legislature is out of session to a cumulative $10 million, with exceptions for declared emergencies, certain National Guard construction projects, and tuition-related funds. Both were introduced without opposition. Members then heard RS 33247, which would require agencies to report long-vacant full-time positions, remove positions vacant for a year or more from budget requests, adjust requests for positions vacant 180 to 364 days, shift some eliminated positions to the legislative branch, and add more detailed reporting on state travel. Questions focused on whether the proposal would affect JFAC’s budget authority and how it might apply to agencies that keep positions open for cyclical needs, such as the Department of Labor. Budget staff said implementation would require working through the budget analysts to determine whether savings could be applied. The RS was introduced. The committee also introduced RS 33352, which would cap requested increases for CEC and benefits for organizations with 50 or more full-time employees by applying a five-year average of actual personnel spending to the requested increase. Finally, RS 33494 would require the governor, when submitting a budget item that needs statutory changes, to include draft legislation and identify House and Senate sponsors willing to carry it. Supporters said this would prevent policy proposals from being included in the budget without a clear legislative path. The committee approved introduction of that RS as well, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's oversight hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Thank you, Mr.
• That was legislation that was adopted in AB 2057.
• The one I'm looking at from the legislative perspective is recommendation number eight, and this has
• It's sort of astounding to me, as a former trustee and as a former legislative staffer for 15 years,
• I personally think it shouldn't take legislation by Assembly Member Fong to force the UCs and CSUs and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• care legislation that really will make a difference.
• care legislation that really will make a difference.
• I would encourage the body's support of this legislation. Thank you.
• We were able to give ...of Women's Legislative Scholarship recipients.
• Ultimately, this legislation protects law-abiding contractors and laborers.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 124-1 vote, and numerous introductions of student groups, health professionals, and other guests. Committee reports were then read, including several bills recommended “do pass.” The chamber also heard a personal privilege speech from a St. Louis County member responding to a North St. Louis County school track meet shooting, calling for stronger action on gun access and firearm safety. The main floor work focused heavily on appropriations and capital projects. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were debated and passed, covering reappropriations, maintenance and repair projects, new capital improvements, and remaining ARPA pandemic funds. HB 2017 passed 137-9, HB 2018 passed 127-21, HB 2019 passed 98-48, and HB 2020 passed 127-24. Members emphasized that the bills largely used previously appropriated or federal funds, while some Democrats raised concerns about general revenue spending and one-time infrastructure projects. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate-amended HB 2641 on hemp/cannabis-related regulation, with changes on privacy, worker organization, effective date, and age restrictions; it passed 125-21 on adoption and 126-23 on final passage. HB 2423, dealing with Department of Finance staffing and capacity, passed unanimously after Senate adoption. Other measures passed included HB 1919 on electronic filing parity with IRS rules, HB 1768/2060 on short-term rental property tax classification, HB 1855 adding Alpha-Gal Syndrome to reportable conditions, HB 2355 creating a Food is Medicine pilot option, HB 1717/1643 on psilocybin therapy for veterans and first responders, HB 2372, a broad health care package, HB 2408 on the deaf-blind fund, HB 3000 on auditor/siganture-related procedures, HB 2898 restoring land bank tools, and HB 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” strengthening DWI penalties and ignition interlock requirements. Not all bills advanced: HB 3239, which would have expanded and funded the workforce diploma program through MoCAP, failed 55-95 after criticism that it shifted K-12 formula money and stripped vendor standards. HB 2760, the “Praise Act” on treatment of houses of worship during emergencies, drew extended debate on religious liberty, public health, and consistency in emergency orders; the transcript cuts off before the final vote is shown. Throughout the day, members frequently cited bipartisan support for health, public safety, and administrative bills, while several measures drew sharper partisan or policy disagreements over funding, regulation, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with this piece of legislation, Rep.
• There has been some pushback and opposition from legislators, even conservative legislators.
• I thought we had passed this legislation a couple of years ago.
• I thought we had passed this legislation a couple of years ago.
• We could add that Safe Haven language to that same legislation.

Bills: HCR26, HB113, HB380, HB392, HB476, HB513, HB608, HB682, HB905, HB987

Keywords: human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, community college, technical education, pilot program, driver training, transportation, Safe Haven Law, flyers, child safety, infant relinquishment, name image likeness

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is simple but important.
• The lines on 41 and 42 to start in the legislation itself.
• That's all the legislation does.
• That's all the legislation does.
• I just know what my legislation does, and my legislation does not affect what they do as a school district

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received messages that several House bills had been signed by the governor and that multiple Senate bills and House bills had been transmitted, enrolled, or filed. The chamber also handled committee reports, introduced new measures, and referred several bills and resolutions to committees, including House Bill 938 and House Concurrent Resolution 37. House Concurrent Resolution 37, which urged rejection of rural health transformation funds, and House Resolution 29, which would amend House Rule 18, were sent to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 897 on data center tax exemptions and resource-use requirements, House Bill 926 expanding community infrastructure districts to counties outside city limits, House Bill 935 consolidating the Board of Denturity with the Board of Dentistry, House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho Air National Guard’s transition from A-10s to F-16s, and Senate Bill 1326 as amended, a property-rights/open-fields bill limiting warrantless entry onto private land while preserving certain law-enforcement and welfare-check exceptions. House Bill 842, a property-tax and budget-limit bill revising the earlier 389 framework, failed on a 28-41 vote. House Bill 910 was returned to committee. Later, the House passed Senate Bill 1258 allowing rural distilleries to serve their own products without a restaurant requirement, Senate Bill 1387 on the State Historical Society budget, Senate Bill 1388 on Department of Correction enhancements, Senate Bill 1262 clarifying insurer investment rules, Senate Bill 1285 as amended recognizing nonpublic-school diplomas for licensing purposes, Senate Bill 1250 expanding protections for death-scene photographs, Senate Bill 1260 revising immigration-related enforcement language, Senate Bill 1311 requiring ignition-interlock vendors to notify authorities of violations, Senate Bill 1369 changing venue rules so lawsuits may be filed where an incident occurred, and Senate Bill 1303 expanding eligible uses of energy royalties to additional energy resources. Senate Bill 1382, the Fish and Game budget, failed on a 32-36 vote after debate over wolf depredation funding and federal funds. The House also considered Senate Joint Memorial 11 urging protection of public lands from mass disposal; debate focused on access, land exchanges, and the fiscal effects of federal land ownership, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is simple but important.
• The lines on 41 and 42 to start in the legislation itself.
• Whereas removing ...and 42 to start in the legislation itself.
• That's all the legislation does.
• I just know what my legislation does, and my legislation does not affect what they do as a school district

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the Governor and Senate on numerous enrolled and amended bills. The chamber concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 542 after a brief explanation of the technical changes, and several committee reports were read, including printing, enrollment, and referrals for bills and resolutions. The House also introduced new measures, including House Bill 938 on public assistance definitions for candy and soda, and referred several Senate bills to standing committees. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 897, which narrows and adds conditions to a data center sales tax exemption, including water and electricity-related requirements and a 20-year cap, and House Bill 926, which expands community infrastructure districts to counties outside city limits. House Bill 935, consolidating the Board of Denturity with the Board of Dentistry, also passed after debate over board finances and professional independence. House Concurrent Resolution 36, supporting the Idaho Air National Guard’s transition from A-10s to F-16s, passed by voice vote despite concerns about airport noise and neighborhood impacts. Senate Bill 1326, a property rights/open fields bill limiting warrantless agency entry on private land while preserving lawful investigations and service of process, passed 65-3 with two abstentions. Several other bills were considered with mixed outcomes. House Bill 842, which would have changed city budget growth caps, foregone use, and related property tax rules, failed 28-41 after objections that it would raise taxes or create fiscal uncertainty. Senate Bill 1258 passed to allow rural distilleries to serve their own products under certain conditions, Senate Bill 1382, the Fish and Game enhancement budget, failed 32-36, and Senate Bill 1387, the State Historical Society budget, passed. The House also passed Senate Bill 1388 on Department of Correction enhancements, Senate Bill 1262 clarifying insurer investment rules, Senate Bill 1285 recognizing nonpublic high school diplomas for licensing purposes, Senate Bill 1250 expanding confidentiality for certain death-scene photographs, Senate Bill 1260 revising immigration-related enforcement language, Senate Bill 1311 on ignition interlock vendor notices and reporting, Senate Bill 1369 changing venue rules for lawsuits, Senate Bill 1303 expanding uses of energy royalty funds, and Senate Joint Memorial 11 urging protection of federal public lands from mass disposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not alleging that you don't have a right to file legislation as a senator.
• That is what you told me when I asked you if you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative
• So my question... ...you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative session.
• It was clear because I didn't file any legislation. I filed an amendment.
• Or I’m reminded from a legislative affairs director, you weren’t in support of this bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not alleging that you don't have a right to file legislation as a senator.
• That is what you told me when I asked you if you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative
• So my question, ...you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative session.
• It was clear because I didn't file any legislation. I filed an amendment.
• Or I'm reminded from a legislative affairs director, you weren't in support of this bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills. On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1. The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6. The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• JRS 35, joint resolution providing for the election of an adjutant and inspector general and two legislative
• general to serve a two-year term commencing on March 1, 2026, and expiring on March 1, 2028, and two legislative
• trustees for the Vermont legislative trustees for the Vermont State<00:01:21.920><c> Colleges</c><00
• Legislative<00:04:59.600><c> elections</c><00:05:00.000><c> are</c><00:05:00.240><c> governed</c><00:
• 05:00.560><c> by</c> Legislative elections are governed by Legislative elections are governed by title

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The task force must be chaired by a legislator, and staff support must be provided by legislative staff
• The two appointed legislative members with the most years of legislative service must jointly set an
• And we had a great task force with a lot of good legislators representative, Ms.
• I sit on some boards outside of the legislature as a legislator.
• I was there with other Southwest Washington legislators and our congresswoman.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding. The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> lawyers, judges, legislators, lawyers, judges, legislators, legislative<00:38:41.920><c> staff,
• I think that's exactly the type of legislation that this legislation is trying to point legislators in
• :10:39.040><c> legislation</c><01:10:39.600><c> is</c> legislation that this legislation is legislation
• </c> expedient to legislate at this time. expedient to legislate at this time. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c> inexpedient to legislate. Thank you. inexpedient to legislate. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Office Building and learned about the legislative process and public service.
• So today, we’re passing legislation that will save lives.
• This legislation is certainly well intentioned.
• Again, I thank Senator Bynoe for the legislation and for the discussion.
• I want to thank Senator Bynoe for the legislation.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation, their very large omnibus change they did in their last legislative session, if a parent
• The legislative body doesn't want it. They've made it very clear.
• necessary to implement the recommendations to the Legislative Management.
• Legislative Management is going to have some say in this.
• So I really trust our legislative council attorney to draft that appropriately.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• body, a little bit of trans. the board, maybe provide a little bit more connection with the legislative
• Not enough to earn an associate's degree, though that was what the legislation has championed.
• Part of this legislation in its current form sets that work back a bit.
• Part of this legislation in its current form sets that work back a bit.
• I think this is one area where IDLA and the legislators have got this right.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Education Committee heard House Bill 918, which would realign the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) by narrowing its mission, reorganizing its board, capping administrative costs at 30%, requiring outside and LSO audits, setting course fees, and limiting state funding per course. The bill would eliminate or restrict funding for private school, virtual school, K-5 Launch Pad, driver's education, custom sections, and most middle school enrollment except remediation, while preserving some access through Advanced Opportunities money and an emergency exception for hard-to-fill teaching vacancies. Representative Pickett said the bill was intended to address concerns about double-dipping, private use, and program growth beyond IDLA’s original purpose, and to reduce state spending by about $13.5 million. IDLA Superintendent Jeff Simmons testified in opposition, saying the bill would restrict school choice, shift costs to families and districts, and reduce access for rural students, especially for electives, dual credit, and middle school enrichment. Several superintendents and school officials from Potlatch, Grace, Butte County, Wendell, Cottonwood, and Kimberly also opposed the bill, arguing that IDLA is essential for rural and small schools to provide electives, dual credit, credit recovery, and career exploration, and warning that the bill would force districts to absorb costs or pass them on to families. Supporters of the bill emphasized oversight, fiscal restraint, and limiting use to core supplemental purposes, while some members expressed concern about cutting effective programs and about the impact on rural districts. After testimony and discussion, the committee first failed a motion to hold House Bill 918 in committee. A substitute motion to hold the bill in committee until a time certain on Monday, March 23, then passed on a roll call vote, so the bill was held over for further consideration. The chair said the committee would return to the issue on Monday.